Sally

died last week.

Mom told me tonight while I sat at the piano writing about Kathy. who died a year (plus) ago.

I didn't know her that well. but, I will write what I knew of her.
she was strong and burdened for her kids, so when I saw her walking the halls of crossroads, I was not surprised to hear her say she was there, looking, because she wanted a church that would bring them to life. A place they could find Jesus. A church that was filled.

Her husband used to wash dishes with my Mom when we went to Harvest, and his back hurt often. She had children, Opo, who was a chum, and the girls, beautiful girls, who I didn't always feel like I could connect with, but I liked them, and they liked me, even if they pretended they didnt. You could tell that there was hardship, but this was a spark in their parents eyes that you couldn't miss. Jesus stayed there.

I saw Sally a few months ago, at my work place.
the room was bright, and she was there with her girls to get their hair done. We stood in the center with the bustle of people, and she made me feel liked, and loved, her voice got louder when she saw me because she was excited, and that always makes me feel loved. Sally did this with people. She loved well.
Her hands her eyes were lively as she spoke and I asked her about the time I saw her at my church.

She told me something that I will not forget, she said,
Chelsea, you know what? I want the best for my family. sometimes I think we feel misplaced, we feel like oddballs because we are a family that doesn't have it all together. she said, but Chelsea, that is who we are. that is who God created us to be. we are not perfect. we are messed up. we aren't normal in that church and that is who God has called us to be in this world and at our church. because we are broken, unhealthy people. (she spoke the Gospel for all of us) and that is who i want to be. that is who I am. and God loves me, he loves us. Broken. dysfunctional. I want to be what God has called me to be. I want to be me. and I am going to fight to show my kids that who they are is not messed up. who they are is someone that can be loved by God.

and it was true.

and I pray that her life shines that even though she is gone.

and I pray this small testimony of her life can also change you.